When Hans Asperger observed the autistic like symptoms and behaviors in boys through their social and communication skills, many professionals felt like Asperger's syndrome was just a less severe form of autism[1]. Uta Frith was one of these professionals who had this opinion. She was a professor at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience of University College London, and was also an editor of Autism and Asperger Syndrome[1]. She said that individuals with Asperger's had a "dash of autism". She was one of the first scientists who recognized autism and related disorders as the result of a condition of the brain instead of the outcome of detached parenting[2].

In 1994, Asperger's Syndrome was added to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)[1]. In the DSM-IV, it was considered to be a separate disorder from autism. Just like in the 1940's, there are still many professionals that believe that Asperger's is just a less severe form of autism. The DSM-V made a new, broad diagnosis in 2013. It was the autism spectrum disorder. In this category is what was once Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, and other developmental disorders that are related[1]. There are different levels of severity now, rather than the different diagnoses[3]. The levels are determined by the amount of support the individual requires. Due to the change, individuals who were previously diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome most likely were re-diagnosed within the umbrella of the autism spectrum disorder because of the DSM changes and revisions[3].

  1. ^ a b c d "Asperger's Syndrome - Autism Society". Autism Society. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
  2. ^ "Uta Frith". Association for Psychological Science. Retrieved 2017-06-26.
  3. ^ a b "DSM-V: What Changes May Mean | Autism Research Institute". www.autism.com. Retrieved 2017-06-26.